Doris M. McLain, 81, of Pinellas Park, FL, formerly of Indianapolis, IN, passed away Friday night on October 5, 2012 at Hospice House Woodside.
Born in Union City, TN, Doris moved to Indian Rocks Beach FL from Indianapolis, IN in 1980. She retired as the financial secretary at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks after more than 20 years. She served as President of the PTA, was on the accounting committee and participated in the choir. She was an active member of the church and the Mothers of Twins Club. She enjoyed sewing and gardening.
Survivors include her husband of 63 years, Bill; three sons, Michael of Swansboro, NC, Jim (Wanda) of Jacksonville, FL, and Christopher (Melissa) of Largo, FL; four daughters, Amy Weber of Clearwater, FL, M’Lissa (Jack) Morgan of Indian Rocks Beach, FL; Janis Ward of Pinellas Park, and Lucinda “Cindy” Dillahay of Indianapolis; brother, Ted Council, of Martin, TN; sister, Patty Hampton of Dyersburg, TN; 11 grandchildren, 8 great grandchildren, and a great-great grandson. She was preceded in death by her parents, Thomas Milward and Ethelene Council, and brother, Tommy Joe Council.
A gathering of friends and family will be held at 12:00 PM on Wednesday, October 10, 2012 at First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks, 12685 Ulmerton Road, Largo, FL 33774. Funeral services will begin at 1:00 PM. Interment will follow at Serenity Gardens Memorial Park.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests contributions be made to the American Cancer Society for Pancreatic Cancer or the Suncoast Hospice Foundation, 5770 Roosevelt Blvd., Clearwater, FL 33760, www.thehospice.org .
Please sign the guestbook below.
My mom taught me so many life lessons…be nice, be kind and always check out the bargain racks first! the most meaningful advice I received when I was going throught some dark times in my 20’s. She gave me the courage to move to Florida alone. Even though it meat moving far from my family, friends and home, she encouraged me to take a very scary step. It changed my life. Thank you mom for all your love and guidance throughout my life
A little note about my Mom. Although I know now how hard she worked at it,she made everything seem simple. She raised seven kids and made each of us feel special. If you needed love she gave it. If you needed to be told that you were an idiot she gave you that too. She was almost never wrong yet she was never bigger than anybody. I try to think of some amazing deed or story, but it all comes back to how she did it all so seemingly effortless. She was simply the best Mom we could have asked for. I used to tell people that she was going to live forever, but I was wrong. We were the luckiest family to have her as long as we did.
My heartfelt thoughts and prayers go out to your family.
Doris will be greatly missed by the residents of Vendome Village and by me personally. She was active in almost everything done in the Village and she was Vice President of our Association. She and Bill founded and published the Village newspaper until recently. She is going to be greatly missed by all.
My deepest condolences. Although I only knew Doris the last year or so, she always made me laugh. She will be missed.
I met Doris and Bill “back in the day” at the Largo Lanes bowling alley. We were a team together and had a lot of fun. Doris is responsible for inviting me to First Baptist Church of Indian Rocks over 20 years ago and for that I will be eternally greatful. I will miss seeing her face each week in the choir loft. To Bill and her family, my deepest sympathies and prayers go out to you. I know you have many memories to make you smile. She was a wonderful woman.
Our mother was the strongest woman I know. She always had time for each of her seven children and was the light of our lives. She will be greatly missed by all. I love you momma…and will always remember the great times we had. Rest in peace with the angels. Love you!
Doris was one of the most down to earth & wonderful ladies I have ever met. The love of our Lord Jesus shone through her as a tireless worker for Him. She will be so missed in our Sunday School class and singing in the church choir. If we ever had a question regarding the history of our church, or remembering someone, we would look to her for an answer as her memory was amazing. I use to love to listen to her speak of her beloved children, grandchildren and her memories of growing up in Tennessee. 2 Timothy 4:7-8 You fought the good fight, finished the race, & remained faithful. I know you are seeing our Savior face to face and I am looking forward to seeing you there Doris.
My deepest condolences to the family as you go through this difficult time.
My Prayers goes out to all the family, She was one great lady.She will be missed.
Please accept my heartfelt sympathies for your loss. My thought are with you and your family during this difficult time.
I was honored to know Doris, she was a wonderful woman with a big heart and lots of love for her family and children. My deepest condolences to the family as you go through this difficult time.
Aunt Doris was a special lady. Even though I haven’t seen her in years, I will always remember spending weekends at their home. I never heard her speak an unkind word or show temper, even with 7 kids. She will be missed. My deepest sympathies go to Uncle Bill and the family. Rest in peace Doris.
Jim, my Prayers goes out to you and your family.
Your family will be in our prayers, Doris was a inspiration to all she met and I know she will be sadly missed. Love you all.
Jim, my sincere condolences to you and your family.
I had the pleasure of working with Doris at FBCIR. Didn’t take long before we became friends. She was an inspiration to me in many ways. My prayers and thoughts are with her family. She is as peace now and enjoying every moment! Until we see her again in Heaven may we remember her dedication in all areas of her life.
Thank you Doris for being a part of my life.
My thoughts and prayers are with you-all during this difficult time. Doris was a wonderful person who loved her family dearly. She was an inspiration to all who knew her. I have such wonderful memories of being with all of you.
Wish I could have come down. Doris was a great
friend and I will sure miss her. Praying for
the family
Aunt Doris was one of the sweetest, caring, giving people I have ever known. I have always felt she was my kindred spirit. I hope to be just half the Christian, mother, wife, daughter, sister and friend she was. She will truly be missed by many. Even though I didn’t see her much it was the fact that she was here in this world that made it a better place. Love you Aunt Doris I know you are rejoicing with the Lord now and visiting with Papa Tom and Granny!
The most safe and peaceful place to sleep is with my head on my mother’s lap.
Mom always knew what to say and how to say it to convince you that “one of these days” you’d know she was right and use those words of wisdom on your own kids.
Sometimes you just need your mom!
In honor of my dear friend and surrogate mother-Doris McLain- who taught me so much about cookery, bookery, and her faith. I’m sure I still have some of her books to return to her family. She took me under her wing after I lost my mama in 2005, and I joined her for mother’s day gatherings. I was so warmly accepted by her daughters, as their sister from another mother, and I also have wonderful memories of attending many activities at IRBC with Doris, Bill and the family. Bob and I regularly played cards on Saturday evenings alternating the dessert. Doris’ were frequently “home-made” – a newly acquired recipe from a friend, her sister or the newspaper. My offerings were always store bought, frozen or from the bakery. It wasn’t important – the fellowship and friendship meant so much more. Doris served as my Vice President of Vendome Village Unit 17. The first time I visited when we had learned of her terminal illness, she took my hand and said “you know I can’t be your Vice President anymore” – always taking care of business first. I wanted to bring her wheat grass with carrot juice chasers, but she wanted “no heroic measures.” Doris knew what lay ahead and where she was going. I know she wished it to be over quickly, and it was. Rest in Heavenly Peace, my friend. Robin
My mom always made our clothes, with seven kids it was a necessity. One year she asked me what I wanted for my birthday and I said ’a store bought dress.’ I got one and was so excited.
Family vacations were fun, always had people in the cars behind us counting the kids. We would hold up 7 fingers.
Our camping trips to Kentucky Lake were a treat. They always had room to take our friends. As if 7 kids weren’t enough. :)
Our parents are very special. We will always hold a special place in our hearts for our Mom!
My mother was an excellent seamstress. I would buy a new shirt and bring it home. Mom would say, “Let me see that.” She would lay it down on the table and cut a pattern out of newspaper and made 2 or 3 shirts just like it. Then she would hand the shirt back that I bought and say “take it back.”
She made baby quilts for her grandchildren and great grandchildren and anyone she knew that was having a baby. Some for 3 generations at the church alone!
When I was expecting Brandon she just knew he was going to be a girl. She made him a Holly Hobbie girls quilt. Brandon didn’t know the difference and it was his favorite, until he was old enough to realize it was for a girl. He went to Mom at about 3 12 and said, “I need a new ’Boy’ Grandma quilt. He received a He-Man one. He has those still, and cherishes them to this day.
She was a wonderful, resourceful woman who can never be replaced.
I will love you forever, Mom!